DecodedCars2024 Kia Carnival
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2024 models.
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Body styles
- Minivan
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 203.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,495 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 14% below the 2024 minivan average of 25.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2024 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2024 Kia Carnival is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 203 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,495 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 14% worse than the 2024 minivan average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2024
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2023; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2023 Carnival →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2024 Carnival configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minivan | 203.1 in | 78.3 in | 68.5 in | 121.7 in | 68.9 / 68.9 in | 4,495 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -14% | $3,050 | 408 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2024 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Carnival PV Later Release FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14% |
| 2024 Kia Carnival PV FWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14% |
Similar 2024 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Carnival (this car) | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2024 Toyota Sienna | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2024 Honda Odyssey | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2024 Chrysler Voyager | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2024 Chrysler Pacifica | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 11 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Apr 10, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 · 141,032 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars · Jan 18, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · 101,049 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
- Risk
- A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Not every 2024 Kia Carnival is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2024 Kia Carnival buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 17 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 7 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 7,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2024 Kia Carnival. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Carnival years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Carnival | 33 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Carnival | 32 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 55 |
| 2025 Carnival | 33 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 196 |
| 2023 Carnival | 22 | 202.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 52 |
| 2022 Carnival | 22 | 202.8 in | Not rated | 6 | 136 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →